Banks ease credit rules for energy firms to stave off defaults

TORONTO Canadian banks are beginning to relax lending standards for energy firms struggling to operate with oil prices at half the level needed to cover costs, seeking to keep them afloat until the industry recovers from its deepest slump ever.

Banks are extending credit and waiving covenants for some energy companies to avoid forcing defaults and bankruptcies that leave the lenders holding assets, in contrast to some U.S. counterparts preparing to seize oil and gas fields.

A 2019 Canadian Supreme Court ruling requiring bankrupt oil companies to prioritize cleanup of inactive wells over paying creditors is also an incentive, analysts said.

While the measures would help stem banks’ loan losses during a difficult year, a slower-than-expected recovery or oil prices consolidating at lower levels could lead to more soured loans longer term in an already challenged portfolio.

By renegotiating credit agreements, banks don’t have to consider the loans impaired, “but the concern is that maybe they’re just kicking the can down the road,” said Brian Madden, portfolio manager at Goodreid Investment Counsel.

Obsidian Energy, Pembina Pipeline Corp. and Baytex Energy are among the companies that have obtained or extended credit facilities from their lenders recently.

But Obsidian’s lenders — including ATB Financial, BMO, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and National Bank of Canada, according to Refinitiv data — waived debt-to-adjusted EBITDA covenants while renewing its credit facility, despite debt of $461 million at 2019 end, up 10 per cent from the prior year.

Bonavista Energy Corp. in March got approval under a temporary waiver to tap its credit line for a reduced amount. Still, the majority of banks’ energy loans are to larger diversified companies and lenders are not relaxing requirements across the board.

Calgary-based Delphi Energy Corp. on Tuesday sought creditor protection after a syndicate of banks, including ATB Financial, Bank of Montreal and Bank of Nova Scotia, balked at waiving a debt covenant.

Banks could lower lending amounts as they recalculate energy companies’ borrowing bases through to May, the total collateral against which they can lend.